This archive report was first published on 6 July 2020.
Published on July 6, 2020, Kenya has reversed its decision on a directive requiring all inbound cargo destined for Nairobi and beyond to use the standard gauge railway.
The directive, issued in May by Transport CS James Macharia, aimed to transport all cargo destined for Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan via the SGR for clearance at the Naivasha Inland Container Depot (ICD).
However, the government bowed to pressure from regional economies that use Mombasa port for imports, particularly from Uganda and Congo business communities who protested the directive, saying it would increase the price of their imported goods.
Transport CS Macharia has now made the directive optional, stating that transporters can pick cargo destined for transit from Naivasha ICD at their discretion.
He added that the Kenyan authorities will hold consultative talks with local and regional stakeholders on the way forward, including additional development on the Naivasha ICD, such as expanding the marshaling yard and increasing customs and clearing staff.
